14 Of London’s Best Delis To Visit For Picnic Essentials
Picnic season is officially here. And while the sun has been playing games these days, we’re dreaming of picnics with pastries, sandwiches and our favourite crisps. Instead of heading to the supermarket for the meal deals you’re probably tired of, we suggest elevating your picnic with items from London’s incredible delis that serve artisan produce, fresh deli meats and some beautifully curated baskets and gift bags.
Lina Stores
There are some London businesses that have moulded themselves into London’s great history and Italian-style delicatessen Lina Stores is one of those.
Having launched way back in 1944 in Soho, Lina Stores has become the spot to go for a light bite or to stock up on your cheese and charcuterie nights. For savoury or sweet breakfasts, try the maple-roasted granola with yoghurt and berries or the truffle scrambled eggs with toasted sourdough. Additions to the antipasti menu include mussels alla marinara with grilled focaccia.
across London
www.linastores.co.uk
La Fromagerie
While it’s no secret that La Fromagerie (a London institution) does good cheese – it’s literally in the name – you might not know that its offering is wider than just dairy. With delicious pastries, carefully curated wines, boujie ‘picky bits’, and tasty meats, you won’t find yourself lacking in any picnic essentials.
With delicious pastries, carefully curated wines, boujie ‘picky bits’, and tasty meats, you won’t find yourself lacking in any picnic essentials.
highbury, marylebone & Bloomsbury
www.lafromagerie.co.uk
N5 Kitchen
N5 has served clients like Nigella Lawson, Florence Pugh and Naomi Campbell.
Run by an all-female team, N5 Kitchen offers breakfast and lunch menus that change daily along with an assortment of cookies, cake and savoury pastries. Starting out as a catering business for London’s fashion scene, N5 has served clients like Nigella Lawson, Florence Pugh and Naomi Campbell. Highlights include n’duja and poppy seed sausage rolls, pistachio, orange and dark chocolate cookies and vanilla sprinkle cake. The lunch bowls are a firm favourite and include roast chicken, kale and fennel salad with ricotta salata, roasted aubergines on wild rice with pistachios, orange and herb slaw and Thai beef salad.
68 Mountgrove Road, N5 2LT
www.n5kitchen.com
Natoora
Working directly with growers, Natoora was set up with the intention of fixing the food system and creating a more sustainable way forward for farming. With nutritionally-dense and flavour-first ingredients, Natoora is all about bringing back the joy of food. We love the Peak Season box where you’ll find nine fruits and vegetables that are selected based on the season – so they’ll never taste as good as when they get to you.
ACROSS LONDON
www.natoora.com
The De Beauvoir Deli
On a mission to fuel N1 dwellers with only the finest artisan groceries is The De Beauvoir Deli, your go-to spot for quick lunches, fresh produce and excellent customer service. There are a variety of hampers, foodie-themed gift boxes and luxurious picnics curated from British artisan suppliers. These include the Antipasti Hamper which comes with a charcuterie platter, fine cheeses, marmalade, crackers and more. The Everything Platter has literally, everything from crisps and cheese to smoked salmon and pitted olives. A great addition to any picnic is also some croissants (with vegan options available).
98 Southgate Road, London, N1 3JD
www.thedebeauvoirdeli.co.uk
The Larder
London’s best string of cafe-cum-delis, The Larder was set out to make farm-to-table ingredients more readily available to Londoners. Now boasting several locations across the city, The Larder prides itself on its artisan produce, local ingredients and delicious seasonal menus at their in-store cafes, with the aim of leaving as little environmental footprint as possible. With zero waste in mind, the packaging of their products is hugely important and at their catering events use biodegradable bamboo plates, wooden cutlery and even champagne flutes made from potato starch, which is both innovative and better for the environment.
Various Locations
www.larderlondon.co.uk
Bayley & Sage
Having first opened up shop in Wimbledon back in 1997, Bayley & Sage has since become a branch of delis that West Londoners know, love and cherish. The Big Cheese board is the stuff any cheese lover would die for (Moliterno al Tartufo, Brie De Meaux with truffle, Bayley Blue and more…) Their Wandsworth outpost is a Handbook favourite and you’ll often find us munching our way through their delicious spinach pastries and a sharing bag of TORRES Truffle Crisps (seriously recommend getting your hands on a packet of these – they’re awfully good).
Bayley & Sage has since become a branch of delis that West Londoners know, love and cherish.
Various Locations
www.bayley-sage.co.uk
Honey & Spice
Situated just across from their sister restaurant, Honey & Co., known for its vibrant colours and Middle Eastern flavours, Honey & Spice is the grocery store where you can stock up on your weekly essentials and recreate your favourite flavours from their restaurant’s dishes.
There’s a daily display of salads, tagines, bakes and dips available from 12 noon every day. Plus, you’ll find cookies, iced teas, jams, and a selection of olive oils and tahinis that are available to pack up in a gift box if you like.
52 Warren Street, Bloomsbury W1T 5NJ
www.honeyandco.co.uk
Melrose & Morgan
A delicatessen, artisan bakery and gourmet grocery store, Melrose & Morgan has luxury picnics available in different sizes that cater for 2, 4 or 6 people. They include delicious options from smoked salmon and truffle chips to dark chocolate florentines and bottles of fizz. Picnics can be customised for different diets and the baskets come in a tote bag with disposable eco cutlery to minimise waste.
Primrose Hill and Hampstead Village
www.melroseandmorgan.com
Italo Deli
Tucked in the heart of Bonnington Square, you’ll find the community-based shop Italo Deli serving up all of your pantry essentials and deli needs. It’s a treasure trove of curiosities but to its locals, the little community cove continues to be the friendly corner shop we’ve all dreamt of having. From local produce to packaged hampers, Italo will soon be your go-to for your deli delights.
13 Bonnington Square, Vauxhall, London SE8 1TE
www.italodeli.co.uk
Ottolenghi Restaurants
Ottolenghi Restaurants serves baked goods, seasonal salads, and lots more.
With delis in Islington, Chelsea, Hampstead, Marylebone, Notting Hill, and Spitalfields, Ottolenghi Restaurants serves baked goods, seasonal salads, and lots more. The Za’atar pita chips with yoghurt and chilli shatta and Dutch baby pancakes are favourites on the menu. Plus, we’ve seen some interesting asparagus creations on their Instagram for the season, so pop in and have a look for yourself.
ACROSS LONDON
www.ottolenghi.co.uk
Harrods Food Hall
From fresh seafood to exotic fruit and their signature sourdough that’s freshly baked every day, The Deli at Harrods serves a range of delicious items on the menu perfect to grab and assemble for a picnic. The patisserie section is particularly mouthwatering so you’ll want to make sure you save plenty of room for dessert. The Deli serves a range of ready-to-eat dishes that make great picnic basket additions.
Harrods, Knightsbridge SW1X 7XL
www.harrods.com
Sons & Daughters
Newly opened in March after a refurbishment, this is your go-to spot if you love sandwiches. (And what’s a picnic what a great sandwich?) The menu features old favourites and new heroes, with breakfast options and and made to order BIG S+Dwiches for the ones who can’t get enough. On the menu, you’ll find the fabulous Ragu S+DWICH (Sicilian sausage ragu, green olive tapenade, pink pickled onions, Parmesan and rocket) and Beef S+Dwich (spiced braised featherblade, caramelized onion relish, mustard mayo and Torres cured cheese crisps).
Newly opened in March after a refurbishment, this is your go-to spot if you love sandwiches.
Coal Drops Yard, N1C 4DQ
www.sonsanddaughterslondon.com
Eataly London
Eataly London brings the authentic taste of Italy to the heart of the City. Located at 135 Bishopsgate, this massive Italian food hall spans multiple floors and offers everything from fresh pasta made daily to an extensive selection of Italian wines and artisanal products.
The market features over 6,000 Italian and local products, including their famous handmade bread baked daily in wood-burning ovens, premium cured meats, and artisanal cheeses.
135 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3YD
www.eataly.co.uk
